Packing material



Dec. 27, 1932. F. D. GRAY 1,892,527

PACKING MATERIAL Filed April 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwuewtoz 1932. F. D. GRAY ',8 ,521

AAAAAAAAAAAAA AL Filed April 20. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

Patented Dec. .27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRED D. GRAY, OF HFRKIMEIR, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HOLED-TITE PACKIlIN CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK PACKING MATERIAL Application filed April 20, 1929. Serial No. 858,625.

The present improvements relate to packing for fragile articles and more particularly to a protective or reinforcing packing for collapsible containers in which fragile articles are packed and shipped, e. g., containers for radio tubes, incandescent bulbs and the like.

However, the improvements may be embodied in various forms adapted to be applied in a plurality of uses.

A primary object, among others, of the present improvements is to provide novel packing members adapted to protect a container which the packing is adapted to surround or to be interposed between the container and its outer wrapper instead of excelsior, felt or the like.

A further object is to provide a packing for collapsible containers which may be readily applied and removed with case.

99 A still further object is to provide packing of the aforementioned type which is formed in one manufacturing operation, is economical to,.; manufacture and which possesses combined characteristics of rigidity and resili- 3 ency thereby affording support as well as a cushioning efi'ect to the enclosed container.

Another object of the improvements is to provide a protective covering for fragile article containers wherein the sides and edges.

3 thereof are well cushioned and reinforced against shocks, as well'asa- 'coverin which is adjustable to protect containers of iiferent dimensions within prescribed limits,

To improve packing means in general, ob-

3 tain greater efliciency therefrom as well as to reduce breakage of packed articles constitute further objects of the improvements.

Other objects and advantages of the present improvementswill be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification and drawings, in which Fi 1 is a perspective of the improved pack ng folded about a container;

Fig. Q is atlongitudinal sectional view of the packing inunfolded condition;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an end flap piece independent of the sheet; 7

Fig. 4 is an end view of a container packed in a carton with one form of the present improvements applied thereto;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modified form of packing;

Fig. 6 illustrates a container with an outside wrapper with two strips, such as illustrated in Fig. 4, interposed therebetween;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a modified form in unfolded condition;

. Fig. 8 is a perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 6, shown. in folded condition.

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of a side portion 80 and channel shaped hinge of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7.

In practicing the present improvements, the packing is formed of cardboard, wood pulp or other-similar material. Preferably the pulp sucking process is employed wherein the sheet or strips and the proJecting portions thereon are formed by one and the same process so that a one piece member is produced.

In forming the sheet and parts thereof, wood pulp, cellulose or other fibrous material is employed, the fibres being first placed in a liquid bath. Macerated paper, thoroughly disintegrated and mixed with water until it 7 has the consistency of thitk soup may be employed, as may other similar materials. The formation of the sheets may then be accomplished by molding or felting by means of suitable dies or molds, whereby a sheet of relatively yieldable material results, with the hereinafter mentioned protuberances therein, all consisting of intimately matted fibres.

These sheets and cushionstherein are of such form and are soconstructed and arranged as so be relatively rigid, and yet have a sufficient degree of elasticity to accommodate themselves to pressure exerted thereon. Moreover the nature of the construction insures proper and accurate form and the preservation of that form in use, since any pres sure on the sheet or any part thereof will tend to move its matted fibres from their normal position into a more intimate union and will be constantly resisted thereby, to the end that the parts will always have tendency to return to their original form, which causes them to exert a counter pressure when slightly pressed or drawn therefrom. An inherent resilience and elasticity is thus present in the I ,sure.

Referring to the drawings, the sheet 10, formed in the foregoin manner, is made in sinuous form so that re atively deep channel shaped members 11 are produced'across the width of the sheet. These channels or grooves protrude a substantial distance from the plane of the sheet while other similarly shaped members 12, extending therebetween, are more shallow and of less extent.

As illustrated the trough of each member 11 is provided with a channel shaped member 13, curved in a direction opposite to that of the deeper members. The members 12 and 13 are relatively shallow and therefore are more in the nature ofribs, which serve to give form and rigidity to the sheet.

Upon reference to Fig. 1, the collapsible container 15 is shown with the sheet 10 surrounding same. It is notable that the ends 16 and 17 of'the sheet overlap, the innermost portion 17 having integral flaps 18 and 19 which are adapted to be folded over the ends of the container 15. These fla s are provided with curved portions 20 for a ording cushion means for the ends of the container.

Since the sheet 10 is manufactured in unfolded condition, in which form it has inherent resiliency as aforementioned; b folding it as shown in Fig. 1, a further resiliency and elasticit is attained since the'matted fibres ofthe eetare distorted from their natural state and therefore tend to resist the folding and to return the sheet to unfolded condition. By making the sheet in the form illustrated, folding thereof is facilitated and at the same time creases and decided breaks in the surface are avoided. Accordingly, if the container is enclosed by sheet 10 as illustrated in Fig. 1 and so held by ones hand, upon withdrawal of the hand, the inherent resiliency of the sheet will tend to return same to its unfolded condition as in Fig. 2. Therefore when the container 15, surrounded by sheet 10, is inserted in a slightly larger carton or wrapper, this tendency of the sheet to expand and resume its unfolded. condition pro duces an added cushioning effect for the con tainer 15.

Upon reference to Figs. 1 and 4, the relation of the protective covering 10 in use, is well illustrated. Accordingly, when folded, the channels 11 are disposed over the ridges or edges of the container 15 and in such posltion serve as ridge rolls for protecting the edges with a cushioning effect. The depth and width of these channels 11 permit same to encircle the corners or edges so that the bases 11A contact the sides of thecontainer at a distance from the edges. Thence the curved walls of the channel curve away and return again where the channel or rib 13 contacts the edge of the container or nearly so.

It is notable that each of the four longer edges of the container 15 are thus protected and cushioned by a channel or ridge roll 11. Likewise the sides of the container are cushioned by the channel member or groove 12 which assumes the shape illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 when folded. Accordingly the folding causes thechannels 12 to protrude (see Fig. 4) so that tent like cushions result along each side of container 15. Pressure or shocks on the apices of these members accordingly cause their base lines to spread tending to flatten the tent and consequently urging the ridge rolls 11 to shift slightly. This causes a cushioning effect that cannot be overemphasized. A similar eifect results when the rolls 11 tend to flatten under pressure, causing the tent like members 12 to shift. In both instances the resistance of one such member to the spreading of the contiguous member contributes to the cushioning effect and at the same time promotes relative rigidity in the entire sheet.

The enclosed container 15 is thus eiiiciently protected at its edges and sides, so that a radio tube or other fragile article in the container is adequately rotected. The simplicity and economy of t 1e present packing in contrast to the disadvantages of felt packing, excelsior, etc, which it replaces cannot be overemphasized. In attaining these advantages of simplicity, economy in manufacture and ease in handling, the efliciency of the packing and the cushioning effect, as above described, have not been sacrificed but rather have been increased.

Obviously the flaps 18 and 19 fold over the ends of the container 15 and serve to protect and cushion those parts. The sheet 10 may be provided without the flaps 18 and 19, in which event the ends of the container may be bare, or separate pieces as in Fig. 3 may be used, or the sheet 10 may be made slightly wider than container 15 so that the edges thereof project slightly beyond the limits of the container at each end.

Upon reference to Figs. 5 and 6 the simuous sheet 30 is illustrated wherein relatively deep channels 31 and relatively shallow channels or ridge rolls 32 are formed in the sheet. This modified form is in the nature of a strip which is adapted to envelo three sides of a container. The application of two such strips to a container is shown in Fig. 6, wherein each strip protects two sides and an end of container 35, the whole being enclosed in an outer Wrapper or carton 36.

The channels or ridge rolls 32 are seen to protect and cushion the edges of the container in a manner similar to that previously described with respect to the form of Fig. 1, while channels 31 protect and cushion the sides of the container in like fashion.

It is notable with respect to both forms so far described, that the packing or protective covering is adjustable. That is to say, the sheets 10 or strips 30 are not limited for use with only one slze of container. Where the packing is used for containers smaller than that illustrated, the edges of the packing may be overlapped to a greater degree, while where larger containers are used the edges of the packing will either just meet or be spaced, depending on the size of the container. In any event, the efiiciency of the packing is not im aired but functions in all applications with thesame or greater cushioning and protective effect. The formation of the ridge rolls in all the forms is such that they tend to grip the container and thereby hold themselves in place about the edges thereof.

Upon reference to Figs. 7 and 8 a modified form of container covering is illustrated.

The sheet 40 illustrated in Fig. 7 is manufactured in one operation as described previously. This sheet comprises the side portions 41 to 44, and integral end portions 45, 46 all of which are separated by interposed channels 47 formed in the sheet. These channel members are semi-cylindrical, as in the previous forms. The body of the sheet is provided with a plurality of cup or dome-shaped protuber-- ances 48 which are formed in the sheet at the time of manufacture. These members serve as cushion means and are irregularly placed or staggered throughout the sheet.

In Fig. 8, the sheet 40 is shown surrounding a container 50. The channel members 47, serve to protect and cushion the edges of the container in a manner similar to that previously described. While these members when folded provide ridge rolls for the container edges, they serve also to give rigidity to the covering by functioning in the nature of ribs. As in previously described forms, pressure or shock to the domes 48 or channel members 47 is resisted by those members with the result that the enveloped container 50 is protected and cushioned.

Domes 48 serve also to space the inner container from the outer wrapper or carton and at the same time resiliently give under pressure, tending constantly to resist the pressure 50 and maintain their normal shape. In all forms of the present improvements, the protection is increased by the presence of air pockets or channels caused by the novel de-.

sign and configuration of the packing. The projecting lip 49, of sheet 40 is adapted to protrude as illustrated in Fig. 8 whereby it may contact the inside of the outer wrapper or carton andthereby give additional cushioning effect as well as serve to prevent the 80 packing from relative movement with respect to the container.

It is notable with respect to all the forms points. This feature is of marked advantage since it facilitates folding without the danger of rupture of the sheet or separation thereof at such points.

If desired the number, size and shape of the channel members and domes may be altered or variously arranged. Accordingly, the novel manner of protecting the edges of a container and also the sides thereof in a one piece covering may be embodied in various forms without departing from the scope of the improvements.

I claim:

.1. A reinforcement packing for collapsible containers comprising a sheet of material having a plurality of spaced channels extending substantially the width thereof, some of said channels being relatively deep and having ribs in the walls thereof.

2. A reinforcement packing for fragile articles comprising a sheet of material having a plurality of spaced channels extending substantially the width thereof, some of said channels being relatively deep and having ribs in the walls thereof, said ribs extending into said channels and adapted to engage portions of the embraced article when the sheet is folded.

3. A reinforcement packing for fragile articles comprising a sheet of material having a plurality of spaced channels extending substantially the width thereof, alternate channels being deep and shallow, and ribs in the walls ofsaid deep channels.

Witness my hand this 17th day of April, 1929, county of Herkimer, State of New York.

FRED D. GRAY.

that the channel shaped members or grooves are so formed that the sheet or surface thereof will not be broken when folded at those 

